The official student newspaper of florida Tech
September 7, 2011 Wednesday
Fall 2011 Issue 2
spring, issue 1
January 22, 2013
New Catholic dorms to house 140 students upon completion in August
Funding committee has important, but lesserknown role on campus Allison McLellan Staff Writer
photo courtesy of ralph locurcio The groundbreaking for Mary, Star of the Sea was held on Dec. 7.
Kelsey McMullan Sci/Tech Editor Beginning in August, Florida Tech students, including new freshmen, will be able to choose to live in a Catholic residence hall to be called Mary, Star of the Sea. The residence hall is open to all students, Catholic or otherwise. The main goal behind creating this residence hall is to create a tight-knit Christian community on the campus. The new residence will be going up south of the Landmark Apartments on the east side of Babcock street and is expected to house 140 students. The rooms will be private and are laid out similarly to Columbia Village with a shared bath and common area, but the halls will be divided by gender like Roberts Hall. “I think it’s great,” said Laura Whitney, a graduate student. “It will give students that lose sight of their faith the opportunity to live with other students that share their faith.” The new residence will be one
of only a handful of Catholic dorms on secular college campuses across the county. “There is a residence hall for Catholic students at Notre Dame University and the University of Illinois,” said Rev. Doug Bailey, Florida Tech’s Catholic chaplain. “The University of Illinois always has a waiting list for their residence hall.” The building is being funded by a Newman Connection program. Cardinal John Henry Newman had a vision to build Catholic residences on non-religious colleges in order to create a stronger religious connection for college students. “The residence becomes like a fraternity or sorority. It forms a tight knit Christian community,” Bailey said. “We want freshman to be there from day one to help form that community. My hope is once they begin living there they will want to keep living there and continue that bond.” Father Bailey is striving to create and build a tradition and a strong community within the dorm. He hopes that someday the
residence hall will be as popular as the one at Illinois and have a waiting list every year. “It depends how it is advertised,” said freshman Caitlin Wood. “I think it’s an outstanding and unique part of campus though.” The new hall is still campus property and all the rules and regulations in place in the other dorm halls will be in effect in the new building. There will be minor differences though including visiting hours and other policies that will be based off Catholic practices. Resident assistants will also receive extra training from Bailey and his staff. The new building will also feature a small worship chapel and fellowship hall that will be shared with Melbourne Central Catholic School. One of the fun features of the building is that it is the closest residence to the dining hall. “It’s about three steps closer than Harris Village,” said Bailey. Students will just need to make sure to successfully dodge the traffic on Babcock.
When it comes to giving money to campus organizations, the biggest player in the game is the Student Activities Funding Committee (SAFC). But even though the SAFC is responsible for giving out an average of $200,000 per year in funding, many students have no idea what the committee actually does or who its members are. The SAFC is responsible for handling money received from the $30 student activities fee that all full-time Florida Tech graduate and undergraduate students pay each semester. “This is a hard job to do,” said Josh Goldfarb, SGA treasurer and chairman of the SAFC. “There are so many clubs who want money, and there isn’t enough to go around. It’s hard to justify giving the money to some and not others.” The committee consists of members of six of FIT’s Big Seven –Student Government, the Campus Activities Board, the Crimson, the Kaleidoscope, FITV and Florida Tech College Radio. These organizations, as well as Greek Life, are not eligible to receive funding from SAFC, and have been chosen to make up the committee for that reason. “They try to be fair to all organizations,” said Joanne Green, student affairs financial coordinator and SAFC adviser. “They have a very big responsibility, and they try their best to meet the needs of all organizations. There’s no bias.” SAFC has seen some changes recently. The January 16 meeting was the first for several new committee members. Michael Quintero, an SGA senator, replaced another SGA member on the committee. “I’m excited. It shows you where the money goes,” Quintero said. Various factors were weighed when deciding who received funding. Organizations that already collected dues and had done fundraising in the past were more likely to get full or partial funding than
organizations that had not. A common theme at the Jan. 16 meeting centered around the Student Activities Funding Committee Document, a manual that outlines what the committee can and can’t fund. Few of the requests that were reviewed at the January 16 meeting appeared were completed fully and accurately. Portions of the required form were sometimes left blank, and the requisite breakdown of the items to be purchased with the requested funding was often incomplete or incorrectly totaled. “It can be frustrating at times,” Goldfarb said. “If they need the rules explained, that’s why I’m there.” Many of the requested items that were denied were expressly stated in the non-fundable requests section of the SAFC document. Food for general meetings, club tshirts and capital equipment are all listed in this section and multiple requests were made and denied based on these items. Since May 1, 2012, the committee has received 94 submissions, 74 of which were approved. “That’s a 78% approval rate, which is pretty good,” Green said. Thus far, $181,100.07 has been requested of SAFC and $131,644.64 has been allocated, Green said. Any money that SAFC has left at the end of the year is then eligible to be used by Student Government or it may be rolled over into the next year’s budget. Money left over from SAFC was used to purchase equipment in the newly-renovated Evan’s Student Center, Green said. Although extra money can be rolled over, that doesn’t always happen. Goldfarb has noticed that costs have risen and requests have gotten larger in his two years as committee chairman. In the event that funds run out, no more requests will be accepted. “We wish we could give everyone money,” said Goldfarb, “but once all of that is gone, it’s gone.”
Health Center pushes flu shots to combat spread of influenza Hershlay Raymond Campus Life Editor It could begin with a cough from your roommate or a sneeze from a professor. In the early months of the year, flu season begins and the virus spreads quickly. Flu viruses spread through contact and can live up to 12 hours on a solid surface. “If someone with the flu coughs into his hand and then touches a doorknob, the virus is now on that doorknob,” said Dr. Julia Grimwade, professor of biological sciences. That virus can then be transferred to anyone touching the doorknob. The simplest way to avoid the flu, according to Deborah Marino, director of the Holzer Health Center, is by getting a flu shot. “It’s frustrating to me when people don’t get flu shots,” Marino said. “Two of my employees are
out for the week with the flu because they didn’t get their flu shot. One $20 flu shot is much better than being in bed for five days and missing all of your classes.” The flu shot, however, seems to be unpopular amongst students. “People don’t get flu shots because they don’t like shots, it’s as simple as that,” said Grimwade. At the Health Center, flu shots are becoming less painful. “We have these new intradermal shots. It’s a needle that’s smaller than an insulin needle. You can hardly feel it. Very minimal pain,” said Marino. Contrary to popular belief, Marino says you won’t get sick from getting the vaccine. “The flu shot doesn’t give you the flu,” said Marino. Besides vaccination, some general rules basic hygiene can help avoid infections. “Everyone should cough or
sneeze into his or hers sleeve, not their hands,” said Grimwade, “Wash your hand frequently, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ quietly under your breath twice while you’re washing them. That’s how long you need to wash them.” For students who have already contracted the flu, Marino says an antiviral medication is the best option. The earlier they are taken, the more effective the drugs are. The flu is worse this season than in previous years, but on campus, the flu has not spread as quickly. “The flu seems like less of an issue on this particular campus,” said Grimwade, “It may be because you guys go outside a lot and being inside in a closed, contained area is going to spread it more quickly. Sure, people are getting the flu, but it’s not as bad here than in other places.”
photo by Katie skura A Holzer Health Center employee adminsters a flu shot.
gadget corner
coach billy mims
Staff writer Joseph Stoltz discovers a fridge that will make you smile.
Sports editor David Barkholz talks with one of the best coaches at Florida Tech.
See gadget, pg 4
See coach, pg 10
campus life................. 2 sci/tech....................... 4 entertainment............ 5 OPINIONS....................... 9 sports........................ 10
CAMPUS LIFE
2 -January 22, 2013
Club Spotlight: FIT Buddies
the Florida tech crimson
Library Corner: Easy Instruction Series
photo courtesy of fit buddies Members of FIT Buddies pose for a photo at their Halloween party this past October.
Hershlay Raymond Campus Life Editor FIT Buddies pairs people with intellectual disabilities in one-toone friendships with Florida Tech students. The organization originally began as chapter of Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for intellectual and developmental disabilities, but they lost their charter due to lack of members. They still wanted to keep the organization on campus, so they formed their own group, FIT Buddies. “After Best Buddies dropped us for being too small, the parents kept asking if we were going to continue,” said Rebekah Borgert, FIT Buddies president and a senior in ocean engineering. Even though they are no longer
a part of Best Buddies, they keep still their values close to heart. It’s difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to form bonds and make friends outside of their own environment and that’s where they come in. “I was looking for a community service extracurricular freshman year and I found this one,” said Borgert. Vice president Sanjukta Misra also became a member of the club because of the community service opportunities. “When I joined it was still Best Buddies and I joined because it sounded really cool,” said the senior in ocean engineering. “You get to make someone’s day. Even little things make them so happy. You talk to them for five minutes and they immediately like you.” The FIT Buddies meet on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in Skurla Hall 106 and always welcome new members.
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Librarians Rose Petralia, Holly Miller, and Rebecca Weber prepare for the library’s new Easy Instruction series.
Campus life
3 - January 22, 2013
The Florida tech crimson
Study Abroad programs open for Oxford and Netherlands trips Joseph Stoltz Staff Writer Last year was the first study abroad trip to the Netherlands, where students partook in classes at Eindhoven University of Technology. Students were able to take a once in a life time tour of the international headquarters of Canon, meeting high ranking members of the corporation. The students were able to explore the city, finding that it was not only historical, but a technological highlight in the world. Traveling was not limited to the Netherlands, but involved many neighboring countries; ranging from Brussels, Belgium to Cologne, Germany. There were many scenic trips, as Dr. Strother, program director, fondly described majestic fjords and historic surroundings of the Netherlands, many of the students found these places and the people to be “life changing experience.” One student, Kate Broderick, said “It’s like the best part of life, because you have the best food and the best tea and you’re sharing it,” and also continued to say the locals are were all quite kind. When a survey was given to the students at the end of the trip, they were asked what they would change, literally every student answered that they
would change nothing. If you would like more information, Dr. Strother is holding an information session on Monday, January 28 at 5PM in room 610, Crawford building. Florida Tech students have gone to Oxford for the Study Abroad program for several years now, but Heather Cudmore, program director, describes Oxford as “a very magical place” and it still remains as mesmerizing as ever for students. All students who participate will take attend classes at Jesus College Oxford, some lucky students will even be able to live in the 16th century dorms, which do include modern amenities. Some of Oxford’s notable places are the Jesus College dining hall that the Great Hall in the Harry Potter movie series is based off of and trees that inspired JRR Tolkien in his writings. Concerning the natives of the school, Rev. Doug Bailey, several time visitor, said “the students are all very friendly.” Have some fears about British food stereotypes? Bailey described his experiences with the British cuisine as “surprisingly, amazingly” great, even citing a British-ly named restaurant in Oxford called “The Proper Burger’ as one of his favorites.
photo courtesy of oxford study abroad Students walk across the campus of Jesus College in Oxford. There will be a coffee hour at the All Faiths Center on Friday, January 25 for more information provided by Heather Cudmore. Three scholarships are available for the Study Abroad Program in available in different
amounts and requirements. The first is a new scholarship available from Florida Tech itself for $500, and any student that applies by Feb. 4 to the program may apply for the scholarship itself. Second is the Gilman scholarship that ranges
from $1,500 to $5,000, with the deadline being April 1. Finally, the third is the Phi Kappa Phi scholarship that is for $1,000, also with a deadline of April 1 and can be applied to by international students.
Clemente Center fitness classes encourge self-improvement Laura Fitzsimmons Campus Life Editor
photo by katie skura Instructor Wade Dauberman watches over his cycling class, which was one of many fitness classes also available last year.
It’s a new year, so why not try something different? The Clemente Center’s spring 2013 fitness schedule features numerous group fitness classes designed for a variety of fitness levels. The Fun Run I and II class is a fun outdoor class designed to keep participants active and motivated. It will also help prepare those who will be participating in the Downtown Melbourne 5K on March 30. The class is offered every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. It is taught by Andy Dutra, who is a U.S. Track and Field, Road Running Club of America and Personal Fitness Certified coach. He teaches alongside crosscountry runners David Boiywo and Jen Lindsay. According to the Clemente Center’s assistant director Michelle Robinson, “the program-wide goal would be to encourage participants in general a semester goal of participating in the race.” “All levels are welcome,” Dutra added. “All we ask is you come out and try.” The Fun Run I class, according to the class description, will focus on a steady state recovery pace with a weekly goal of increasing one’s personal time and distance. This class is held on Mondays and is also known as an endurance day. The Fun Run II class is held on Wednesdays and is known as an agility and speed day. This class will focus on speed work and agility drills designed for the ultimate goal of a faster 5K, according to
the class description. “We encourage everyone to go at their own pace,” Robinson said. The Downtown Melbourne 5K supports The Haven (which is a Brevard County home for abused, neglected and abandoned children) and is a great flat course in Melbourne that is close to campus, Dutra said. The Clemente Center is also offering a Self Defense class, which is free for students and members and will begin on Jan. 28 and will be held every Monday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.. Mark Laderwarg, a 30-year veteran police officer and 40-year Japanese Jujutsu instructor, will teach the principles and techniques of personal defense to students of average experience and physical skills, as stated in the course description. Laderwarg, along with his assistant Michelle Luce, will focus on topics such as defense against physical attacks, conflict avoidance, justifiable use of force and street, home and vehicle defense. According to Laderwarg, the Self Defense class is funded through a grant by Dr. Joan Joesting, who felt that students need to be able to defend themselves and was worried that they wouldn’t know how. The class is open to females and males of all ages and will be a mix of both lecture and defense, Ladwerwarg said. “Training is a progression,” Laderwarg said. Therefore, attendance at all nine sessions is required. “Repetition solidifies everything,” Luce added.
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SCI/TECH
4 -January 22, 2013
the Florida tech crimson
Florida Tech senior develops potential drug breakthrough Kelsey McMullan Sci/Tech Editor Developing a pharmaceutical breakthrough as an undergraduate student may seem like a stretch for many, but for senior biochemistry major Helen German, it’s a reality. “Before I came to college I read a paper about some protein that was active against malaria and it was really cool connection,” said German. German is working on research in computational chemistry with a compound known as 4-aza-tryptanthrin. This special compound is one of the types of tryptanthrin, a naturally occurring chemical, first derived from Woad Root that could potentially be used as an anti-parasitic agent. German and her professors overseeing her research are excited by this chemical because of its potential to be a therapeutic drug. This research is part of a bigger project within the chemistry department. Drs. Clayton Baum, Mark Novak and Joel Olson have received funding from the National Science Foundation to study the synthesis, computational modeling, and microscopic aspects of the tryptanthrin compounds. German’s
research is a smaller piece to their collection of work. The professors and students researching tryptanthrin suspect that it is able to interact with DNA and affect biological processes that could lead to cell death, which would be good in the case of malaria, because then a drug can be developed that would treat or prevent the disease. “With respect to the research, it should lead to a couple of publications,” said Baum. “It’s important to understand how it interacts with DNA to develop new drugs. The research that we are currently working on will allow us to design better analogs.” An analog is similarly structured compound that will have specific reactions to achieve the desired solution. Working with this compound has taken German through an exciting phase in her research because of its potential to be a new drug to treat malaria, cure fungal infections or be used to treat a variety of other biological issues. Using the data from her computational models, German submitted an abstract to the Society of Toxicology and will be presenting her research on at a conference in San Antonio, Texas, on March 11. “If
we can prove the computational method as a way to predict the behavior for the compound, that can be extended to a range of other compounds where it can be used for different purposes, like to study cell mechanisms and genetic preference,” said German. “What I’m doing is shifting the center of gravity of the molecule in a computer to see how the shift changes the energy value,” said German. “If we can find an energetically favored interaction that will direct where future research goes.” German’s computer models are trying to figure out the energy preference in order to better understand how the compound reacts. “If we know something about the specificity, maybe we can target specific codons in the DNA.” The preferences that are uncovered in the computational models will lead to a better understanding of how the compound reacts. This information will direct treatments and future research of trypanthrin’s interactions. The next step in German’s research will be taking her data and finding what is the most useful information and where her research should go based upon that information.
Gadget Corner: Happiness Counter Fridge
Joseph Stoltz Staff Writer In an outrageous attempt to ruin the lives of pessimists, researchers from the University of Tokyo Sony Computer Science Laboratories developed a refrigerator that only opens to a person’s smile, thus forcing pessimists to starve to death or break their code of permanent scowling. You may ask the reason for making such an optimistic gadget. The researchers simply put it as to “naturally encourage smiling in our everyday lives” in order to gain the all around health benefits from it. The underlying technology for this device was named the “Happiness Counter.” This is the specific device that allows for the recognition of a smile, which in turn is able to initiate a specific action programmed into it, hence giving the refrigerator the ability to unlock and open. The device uses a light sensor partially covered by the LCD screen of a smile-detecting Sony Cyber Shot camera. According to Shine, the developers of the Happiness Counter said “this system is mainly designed for people living in alone who have difficulty to realize when they are in low spirits and/or to make themselves smile. Our Happiness Counter combines visual smile face recognition, user feedback and network communication. We installed this system in a home with a single householder, and the system had positive effects on improving the user’s mental status.” The website Mashable also quoted a spokesperson for the device concerning public use, saying “increasing the number of smiles in the workplace will enhance the atmosphere for everyone and they might be able to produce some nice ideas.” Whether the Happiness Counter is the next emotional “self-help” item of the future remains to be seen, but it will definitely be a pain in the side of any grouch who wants to eat.
photo by Kelsey Mcmullan Helen German poses in front of her work station, where she hopes to make further breakthroughs in drug research.
Choosing the best media player for your video/audio needs Christopher Pangalos Staff Writer College students consume a lot of media, and at Florida Tech, things are no different. From DVDs to stray .midi files found on the internet, we collect a wide variety of file types and formats, which might seem unplayable at first. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of media players to satiate our video and audio needs. Here’s a rundown of the best (and worst): Windows Media Player: The fact that Windows Media Player is included with a Windows installation makes it one of the most widely used players. Unfortunately, this by no means makes it the best. While it provides good video quality and speed, its ease of use and compatibility fail in comparison to others. Like many Microsoft products, the newer versions have a nice sleek look, but aren’t very user friendly. Users not familiar with the program may find it time consuming and difficult to access even the most basic features. In addition, it lacks many customization options or advanced features. It also has the tendency to succumb to copy protection, even on legitimate media, and has difficulty accessing menus within DVDs. All in all, it’s not bad for basic users, but those who play a variety of media can find much better alternatives Real Player: Like Windows Media Player, Real Player has been around for awhile. It can be obtained free of charge and, like Windows Media Player, it has good quality and playback speed, but isn’t very user friendly and has even less advanced features. The one good point of Real Player is the Real Player Downloader that comes along with it. This provides the ability to download stream-
ing video such as YouTube videos straight to your hard drive, while it occasionally has difficulty with videos featuring advertisements and sometimes needs to be reset. The final video usually has no quality loss and can be played back on a different media player, and overall, that makes Real Player worth the download. Media Player Classic: Media Player Classic is by far one of the best media players available. The fully functional version can be obtained free of cost and it provides a variety of advanced features and adjustments including support for audio video input devices, though you may need some experience to use the more advanced features. If used along with it corresponding codec pack “the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack,” it can play almost any media ranging from .avi to .midi. One of the best features is that if you already have a decent codec pack, there is no need to install the player. The fully functional .exe file is about 5 MB and can be copied straight to your desktop and used as needed. Media Player Classic is also much more resilient than windows Media Players, supporting most DVDs and not instantly crashing on corrupted files. VLC Media Player: VLC Media, like Media Player Classic, is one of the best alternatives to traditional players. It boasts a high file compatibility and a variety of different features such as the ability to play internet radio and TV. While the layout isn’t quite as simple as Media Player Classic, it’s more user friendly than Windows Media Player and easy to use without experience. It also has the ability to play standard DVDs and playback from video input devices. While the icons are a bit unusual, overall it effectively rivals Media Player Classic as the top media player.
6 -January 22, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Movie Review: “Mama”
Movie Review: “Les Miserables” Christopher Penta Opinions Editor
photo by toma 78 “Mama” provides thrills and chills without gorey special effects.
Heather Macy Entertainment Editor Fear. The very word brings to mind not images, but emotions: the cold sweat of dread, the butterflies of nervousness, the heart-pumping apprehension, and, yes, even the chilling sensation of thrill. As human beings, we are addicted by our very nature to adrenaline, and what better way to feed some of us select junkies than with the horror genre? In this regard, “Mama” is the perfect film. With multiple jumps a minute, there didn’t seem to be a single member of the audience that didn’t scream at one point. With executive director Guillermo del Toro leading the way for this American remake, this film is bound to become a true hit. Based off of the 2008 Spanish film by the same name, “Mama” tells the story of two little girls lost in the woods for five years. By the time they were found, baby Lilly and young Victoria had
become wild creatures, but, with a little coaxing, they were able to be brought to live with their uncle and his rocker-chick wife. But when they were brought home, they didn’t come alone. The real strength from this film is its slow build up. Sure, the effects are top-notch and incredibly frightening, but the introduction of tiny tidbits of terror is what really gets to you. Odd occurrences keep the audience unbalanced and nervous, so when the Mama-creature starts to roam, it’s time for the screaming
to begin. Is “Mama” a true horror film? Not quite. In a way, this film is more along the lines of a fairy tale than anything we, as Americans, know to be from the horror genre. Much more closer to last year’s “Woman in Black” or “The Orphanage,” “Mama” tells a beautiful and haunting tale that stays with you to the unexpected end. This fantastic tale earns five out of five paws and a strong recommendation to see it while it is in theaters.
The Crimson says: 5 out of 5 paws
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Going into “Les Miserables,” having seen the live show and skimmed over the book (I say “skimmed” because it is one of the longest novels ever written), I had high expectations for a faithful adaptation of the source material that had yet to grace the silver screen. Thankfully, by accepting the Hollywood production with an open mind, I was not disappointed. Movies that get the audience emotionally involved have, as of late, faded into the background, replaced by noisy CGI-driven spectacles. “Les Miserables” engaged the viewer in heartache, comedy and triumph. The movie, essentially adapted directly from the Broadway show, tells the tale of a former prisoner, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), and his journey from slavery to ultimate divine redemption, all while being chased throughout 19th century France by the obsessive lawman, Javert (Russell Crowe), and a whole cadre of wretched, downtrodden individuals. In rescuing a prostitute’s orphaned daughter from the abusive innkeepers, the Thénardiers (Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen), Jean leaves his hate-filled and resentful past behind him. The majority of the criticism directed at this film is the lack of Broadway-quality singing. To this I say: if one wishes to see Broadway singing, one must go to Broadway. A $7 ticket and a bowl of popcorn is simply not the Broadway experience. I will accept that Russell
Crowe’s singing is slightly sub-par, but his excellent acting as the tragic and misguided villain Javert makes up for this. It should be noted that nearly all of the singing in the final film was recorded live. Unlike most musicals, where the singing is recorded in a studio, edited and dubbed in later, the vast majority of the singing was done on set. This makes my favorite pieces in the movie — “Stars,” sung by Crowe, and “On My Own,” sung by Éponine (singer Samantha Barks) –all the more impressive. Most impressive, however, was “I Dreamed a Dream,” sung by Fantine (Anne Hathaway) and filmed in a single take, live on the set. One of my favorite aspects of the play/film is the lack of a concrete villain. Although the main antagonist appears to be driven by evil intent, it is rapidly revealed that he is a misguided antagonist. Comedic relief is brought by the swindling innkeepers, Thénardier and Madame Thénardier, who steals the show in the second act. The piece “Master of the House” is always a crowd pleaser and their depiction is a departure from the novel, which has the Thénardiers as antagonists, being evil and murderous swindlers. All in all, if one is not averse to musicals, “Les Miserables” has something to offer for every viewer. The storyline touches on issues of faith, redemption, revenge and the liberty of mankind, while the musical numbers compliment these topics very faithfully. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. I give it 4.5/5 decapitated French loyalists.
The Crimson says: 4.5 out of 5 paws
ENtertainment
7 - January 22, 2013
The Florida tech crimson
Unpopular Opinion: why the Nolan Batman films aren’t as great as the internet wants to believe Heather Macy Entertainment Editor With a combined hundred and twelve awards, two Oscars, a combined user ratings score of 26 out of 30 and a combine worldwide earnings of nearly $2.5 billion, it is clear that the latest reincarnation of Batman in the movies has been a hit. But what is it exactly that director Christopher Nolan has done to earn such love and loyalty from the audience? Why does it seem like a crime to say that you don’t like his trilogy? Why all the devotion? (Spoiler alert: this article contains spoilers!) It certainly isn’t the wellwritten plot. There are plenty of spots in all three films that can make a person go “now, wait a minute”. Whether it is on purpose or not, there are gaping holes all over the place. Here are just a few of the largest ones I’ve noticed: In a “is this a flashback or is this him going back” scene from “Batman Begins,” we see how Bruce completed his training and learned that Ra’s al Ghul believes that it is necessary to take over and destroy Gotham. Interesting how a group of ninja-monks know what is going on in Gotham, which is halfway around the world. Maybe they just get really good wifi because they’re on top of a mountain? Later, in the climax of the film, one has to wonder why there is no way to cut off the power remotely for the trains. Even setting up a block on the tracks would have been beneficial to preventing the train from pulling into the tower station. Instead, we have Gordon blowing up supports to try and stop it. Of course, given how much damage it did to surrounding buildings and their street-level supports, there’s no real comparative tally to how badly that idea went. Then again, it is the Narrows, Gotham’s slums, so who cares? At the dinner party scene in “The Dark Knight,” in order to save Rachel, Batman leaves his party. That is, he leaves an entire floor of some of the richest people in Gotham, along with the target, Harvey
image property of warner bros pictures The Joker tends to the ailing plot of the “Dark Knight” series, after it has been left riddled with extensive plotholes. Dent, with Joker and his thugs. But, in the next scene, everything is hunky-dory. Sort of a gaping hole there, hmm? Are we to expect that the Joker didn’t continue his mayhem? That he didn’t keep looking for Harvey and killing people until he found him? For the climax of the film, Batman uses his biggest new “battoy;” a sonar that uses cell phones to map out 3D spaces. It makes sense for the device Fox used to allow Batman to make his move in Hong Kong, but how did the phone’s sonar system work when it came to saving Gotham? Is it something that is downloaded, like aps or digital content? If that’s the case, how did it get on basic phones that don’t have wifi? When it was first introduced, Fox made it sound as if it was something he outfitted his own phone with and, if that’s the case, then it would be impossible for all the cell phones in Gotham to get it retrofitted! How would you round up peoples’ phones? Say that the local Verizon was giving away free ringtones if you brought your phone in? But, really, when it comes to holes, “The Dark Knight Rises” takes the cake.
In the very first film, Bruce Wayne disappeared for nearly seven years and was proclaimed dead. In this film, he disappears into solitude at the same time that Batman does… and NO ONE thinks that’s odd? Apparently some people were paying attention, though. Many years ago, when Blake was a kid, he saw Bruce and, somehow, that allowed him to make the connection in the present-day situation. Alright, let’s think that one through for a moment: just because Blake saw that Bruce Wayne felt the same anger and pain that he did, how does that make him into Batman? There is NO link there at all. It was a sweet scene and everything, but made no sense. And why is it that Blake can nail Bruce as Batman, but Selena and Gordon can’t? Then again, Bane named him immediately, so… And speaking of Bane, don’t you think that, if Ra’s al Ghul wouldn’t want Bane around in his League, after training him, that he would do the same thing he tried to do with Bruce and have him killed? After all, a powerful enemy is bad enough, but one that knows all your tricks and moves is usually considered even worse. And excommunication doesn’t mean very much if the guy
image property of warner bros pictures The classic Batmobile has taken a decidedly less sexy turn in the newest Batman franchise.
is still around, using your moves to rule the world. How did Bruce get back into Gotham after he had escaped from Bane’s prison? Every available eye was on air, land, and sea travel in and out of the city. But, somehow, he was able to just stroll in like everything was perfectly normal. The point where I, as an audience member, finally gave up on caring at all about this film was when the plot made the real link between Ra’s al Ghul and Bane. Not only does it make very little sense at this point to reveal, since changing hands with the detonator won’t help it not go off, but it really does nothing to round out either the plot or the characters. However, the absolute biggest complaint I have about any of the films is the backstory of the villains. In “The Dark Knight,” the Joker is never properly revealed. Sure, it keeps him nice and mysterious, not to mention crazy, but it does nothing to make the audience invest properly with him as an antagonist. Likewise, in “The Dark Knight Rises,” the audience is fed only minute bits of information about the antagonist and, until the absolute very end of the film, only a fraction of information is given, but nothing enough to really make you care. Who is he? What is his backstory? How did he get his scars/ mask/ other distinguishing features? Why is he doing what he is doing? These are questions that are important for the audience to have an answer to in order to connect to an antagonist; they’re not necessarily rooting for them, but everyone loves to hate a good bad guy. If you can’t understand who he is and why he’s doing what he does, then what’s the point? It certainly isn’t the engrossing performances from his actors. While, in Batman Begins, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine are brilliant as engaging, secondary characters, Christian Bale sounds less than the mournfully angry vigilante he is supposed to be and more like he is stoically musing boredom when he’s not fighting crime.
The same carries over in both “The Dark Knight,” where Heath Ledger does a bizarre interpretation of the Joker in his final role, and “The Dark Knight Rises,” where Anna Hathaway is an interesting choice as Catwoman. No matter what, Christian Bale seems somewhat bored through all his dialogue, unless he’s rasping away pretending to be Batman. Then he just sounds upset because he can’t find a throat lozenge. Speaking of quirks from actors, I find it interesting how well the audience can understand Ra’s al Ghul under his gas-mask in “Batman Begins” and the clown criminals when they’re wearing their masks in “The Dark Knight,” but Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises” practically requires subtitles to be understood. And it certainly isn’t the new design of the batmobile. The Tumbler. Introduced in “Batman Begins,” the tumbler is a bridging vehicle that is used in the army to go into a rampless jump while towing a cable in order to create a bridge. It is about a large as an SUV and as adorable as Wall-E, but when it tries to become the Batmobile, it fails on the single basic purpose that the Batmobile has stood for since the comics first came out in 1939: the Batmobile is supposed to be sleek and sexy! By turning it into what is basically a tank that jumps from rooftop to rooftop, it is no longer anything that falls into the very definition of “Batmobile.” In the end, I’m not saying that the wacky films of the ‘90s (after all, it gave us Jim Carry in green tights) or that the bizarre ones from the ‘60s (dancing Adam West, anyone?) were any better than what director Nolan offered the world. I just don’t think that they deserve all the blind devotion that people seem to give his trilogy. What do you, as the reader, think? If you disagree with this unpopular opinion, feel free to write us at crimson@fit.edu. The top clear and well-expressed emails may be published in the next issue of the Crimson as an opposing opinion.
8 -January 22, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
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Movie Mania: Upcoming February movies Heather Macy Entertainment Editor As college students, methods of relaxation are limited to: “how much time do I have before I am scurrying off to the next thing” and “how much money do I have in my pocket at this very moment?” Thankfully, for only a few dollars, the answer is easy: go see a movie! What is it? “Bullet to the Head” is an action-suspense starring Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang, Jason Momoa, and Sarah Shahi. A cop (Kang) and a hitman (Stallone) join forces to bring down a common enemy: the man that killed both of their partners. So, why should I care? Unsurprisingly, Stallone plays a sarcastic, mega-muscled character and, hey, what is wrong with that? If you enjoy those sort of cheesy action films, filled with an equal amount of guns and one-liners, then this is the sort of explosive, wise-cracking movie for you. What is it? “Warm Bodies,” starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, and John Malkovich, is a futuristic zombie film where the end of the world might not be the ending we think it is. So, why should I care? Offering a fresh take on the
zombie genre, “Warm Bodies” seems to have an original, funny, and possibly even romantic plot going on. Ladies and gentlemen, this might just be the perfect Valentine Day movie-date. What is it? “Identify Theft” is a crimecomedy rated for sexual content and language where Melissa McCarthy has taken hold of Jason Bateman’s personal information, a comical annoyance everyone can relate to. So, why should I care? The rating enough should be a warning: this might not be a film that is as funny as it wants everyone to believe. However, with the producers of “Ted” and the director of “Horrible Bosses” behind this one, there will probably be plenty of people in the seats. What is it? “Side Effects” shouldn’t be confused with the 2005 film bearing the same name. Instead of a light-hearted comedy, this version includes Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum, who show what can happen when you turn to prescription medication in order to deal with stressful situations. So, why should I care? Sadly, there isn’t all that much out there in the way of promotional material. Other than the trailer,
Editorial: The growth of a gamer Luis Bolaños Guest Writer “Beat this level for me please?” My little brother hands me a 3DS with Super Mario 3D Land. I smile, knowing he’s not old enough to beat the harder levels in Nintendo’s portable platformer. I once again take control of the infamous plumber with the red hat. With years of video game experience under my belt, I breeze through the level with ease. His eyes open with amazement, at my skill of jumping across chasms with no fear, stomping Goombas rhythmically and running past Bowser’s many traps. “Oh, watch out!” One of the Koopas hits me with a boomerang turning me into small Mario, putting me in danger of death. My brother quickly taps the bottom screen so I can get a power up to be safe once again. “Thanks!” The unintentional teamwork was pleasant. I beat the level just like I beat
previous levels in Mario games, only this time I realize that the story behind the experience was different. When I was a kid I watched my dad beat Mario levels on the Super Nintendo, then the Nintendo 64. I eventually took the challenge of exploring Mario’s worlds from Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy as the years pass. Mario still is the chubby plumber with a red hat and nice mustache, and I’m the one who’s changed. Now completing that level on the 3DS for my brother, I was the one showing how Mario can succeed in face of challenges and obstacles. Overcoming the impossible in my little brother’s eyes. I was no longer the watcher, I was the storyteller, controlling Mario’s movements, defeating the enemies and reaching the flagpole. Video games are growing, and we are too.
illustration property of devin crane/devincrane.com Just as games age and improve, we do too.
photo property of summit entertainment “Warm Bodies” takes the zombie genre to a new, romantic level. which gives a general overview of what to expect of the plot, there isn’t anything to give the impression that this is a film worth paying the eight dollars for. What is it? Based off the popular teen-marketed book, “Beautiful Creatures” is a tale about two teens who, as they fall in love, discover dark and
possibly mysterious secrets about their family. So, why should I care? The fact that this is based off a popular teen series is a giveaway to the viewing audience: this is going to most likely stretch out into a cash-raking trilogy. Unless you’re a fan, save yourself the time and money. Just wait until everything
is released on DVD and do a movie marathon at that point. What is it? Bruce Willis is back in the fifth installment of the “Die Hard” films. That’s all you really need to know about “A Good Day to Die Hard.” So, why should I care? Didn’t you hear me? I said it was another “Die Hard” film!
9 -January 22, 2013
OPINIONS
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Editorial: Vaccinations - the reason you aren’t dead yet Christopher Penta Opinions Editor In our modern, first world, cushy lives of on-demand drugs, plentiful doctors, ample food, clean water and centrally heated abodes, we are presented with something our ancestors would never have imagined. No, it isn’t iPads, electric lighting or half-price pitchers at Chumley’s, but the ability and impudence to question the very technologies that make our lives possible. From “organic” food nuts to anti-nuclear fear mongers, these are the types of people that really tick me off. But the most infuriating species of these primitive creatures is clearly the anti-vaccination folk. Gaining a mainstream voice in the late ‘90s, a later-retracted scientific publication attempted to tie a link between thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative) and autism. When these claims were later proven false and thimerosal was removed as a “preventative measure,” these nay-sayers merely increased in frequency and volume of annoyingness. Let me be very clear here, for
the purpose of disclosure. People do have bad reactions to vaccinations, and some of these people may die. At the same time, these cases are so few and far between that they had a greater chance of getting in a car accident on their way to the doctor’s office. Unbeknownst to many, you, the reader, would likely not exist today were it not for comprehensive vaccinations of your ancestors. Either you, or likely one of your forbearers, would have perished during childhood without the benefits of modern medicine. One of the greatest leaps forward for mankind, the invention of the vaccine, took place in 1796. Edward Jenner discovered that those who had been exposed to cowpox, such as milk maids or farmers, were mostly immune to smallpox, one of the most deadly diseases in human history. Nearly two centuries later, in 1977, with the help of the smallpox vaccine, the disease was totally eradicated from the face of the planet. Despite the thousands of peerreviewed scientific studies to the contrary, parents are refusing vac-
CAPS PSA: Nice to see you again... more than just a coincidence? What You Need to Know About Physical and Cyber Stalking Latasha L Nadasdi CAPS These days, we often use the term “Facebook stalking” to denote spending a little too much time looking through someone’s pictures and profile, but how do you know when this pattern of behavior goes too far? The term “cyber stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct or communication using words, images, or language through the use of electronic communication that is directed at a specific person and causes substantial emotional distress to that person. Being cyber stalked can cause significant harm, and is illegal. What You Can Do if You Are Experiencing Cyber Stalking o Save all copies of communication from a cyber stalker o Send a clear message to your cyber stalker you do not want further communication and will contact authorities if messages continue o Use filters and blockers to block unwanted messages What You Can Do Ahead of Time to Avoid Cyber Stalking o Make sure all internet profiles are private and include minimal personal information o When possible, select a user name that is age and gender neutral o Do not meet people you meet on the internet in person The internet provides a perceived sense of anonymity that can encourage stalkers. It is easy for a stalker to use the internet to find the victim’s personal information such as phone number, address or place of business to locate their whereabouts (especially Facebook applications that allow you to “check-in” at your current physical location). This can then lead to physical stalking behavior. According to national statistics, stalking is most prevalent on college campuses. Between 27 -35 percent of female students, and between 15-18 percent of male students have been stalked. Physical Stalking Can Involve: o Persistent phone calls/text messages in spite of being told not to contact the victim o Waiting outside of the victim’s classes, residence, or workplace o Manipulative behavior (for
example threatening to harm themselves in order to secure a response) o Persistent sending of gifts o Spreading lies about the victim o Objectification (treating the victim like an object) o Vandalizing the victim’s property o Physical and verbal attacks It may come as a surprise that the majority of stalkers know their victim. Some early dating behaviors that may predict future aggressive and ongoing behavior include persistence, intimidation and mild violence. Trust your instincts- if you feel something is not right, it probably isn’t. What To Do If You Are Being Stalked: o End all communication with your stalker. You should be as direct and official as possible. Try sending a letter informing them contact is unwelcome and you will contact law enforcement if their behavior continues. Strong reactions, arguing, screaming or paying any further attention to your stalker may provoke them further. o Make sure to document the stalking: keep track of times, places, and document detailed summaries of each event. o Contact law enforcement officials. Do not confront your stalker, and do not allow your family or friends to do so on your behalf. Only the police should contact the stalker for your safety and the safety of others. o Consider obtaining a restraining order when appropriate. If you are concerned this action may escalate violence, be cautious of following this course of action. o Do not answer the phone or door unless you know who it is. o Change your routine. o Make sure your family, friends, professors and employer know you are being stalked so they can support you and keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. Stalking can have serious effects on its victims. It is important to remember victims did not ask for or deserve the behavior. CAPS is hosting the following student event: “Nice to See You AGAIN! More Than Just a Coincidence?” on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in Evans Hall Room 202. Join us to learn the dangers and warning signs of stalking, how to best protect yourself, and where to get helped if you or someone you know is being stalked!
cination for their children at rates not seen in decades. This is due to general ignorance, theories of conspiracy and limited education from the government. The strength of vaccination comes in numbers. For instance, if one person had a weaker vaccination, and is still susceptible to a virus, he/she is still protected, as the people around them are also vaccinated. Not so if fewer people are being vaccinated. B-list, empty-headed celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy have largely spearheaded this campaign of disinformation, to the point that counter-websites such as www. jennymccarthybodycount.com have popped up to keep track of how many diseases and deaths could have been prevented since the conspiracy theory gained legs. Perhaps no number of studies can prevent self-righteous parents from letting their children grow up unprotected from the likes of rubella and polio, but I appeal to the reader to get themselves and their children vaccinated, as there is no simpler way to better the national health and bring healthcare costs for preventable illnesses down.
photo by katie skura Fearless opinions editor Christopher Penta receives his annual flu shot.
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SPORTS January 22, 2013
Men’s basketball coach Billy Mims nears winningest coach record David Barkholz Sports Editor Despite 200 NCAA victories and being only a handful more away from becoming the winningest coach in Florida Tech men’s basketball history, Billy Mims hasn’t lost focus of his team and their goals. “I try not to think about those things,” Mims said. “To me, every single game is important. Every night is a big night for us, and at the end of the day it’s really just a number.” Mims, who jokingly says longevity was a big factor in reaching his recent milestone, joined the 200-win club earlier this month after leading the Panthers to a convincing 94-61victory on the road at Palm Beach Atlantic. Perhaps it’s not fitting at all that the head coach’s big win came away from home, as he and the Panthers have been so lethal in the friendly confines of the Clemente Center during his tenure at Florida Tech. Of Mims’ 15 seasons as a head basketball coach in the NCAA ranks, the past eight have been spent on Florida Tech’s sidelines, where he says opposing teams
can’t stand playing because of his “sixth man.” “I credit a lot of those wins to our home crowd,” said Mims, who is a big fan of special promotional games, Greek Night being a particular favorite. “I don’t think we’ve lost a game on Greek Night ever at Florida Tech.” Mims and the Panthers have been on quite a tear recently when playing in the Clemente Center, racking up a total of 32 wins and only four loses on their home court the previous two seasons. “In division two terms, we have got a great home crowd that certainly helps us win games,” Mims said. The pummeling of Palm Beach Atlantic also marked the South Carolina native’s 112th win as head coach at Florida Tech, placing him behind only Tom Folliard, 124 wins, and Andy Russo, 125 wins, as the winningest coaches in Florida Tech Men’s Basketball history. Ironically enough, Mims coached against both Folliard and Russo during his six seasons as the head coach for Barry University in the early ‘90s. “It’s kind of an honor to say you’ve coached against those guys,”
The NHL lockout: 113 days of depression Kelsey McMullan Sci/Tech Editor
photo by florida tech athletics Coach Billy Mims. Mims said, “and now you might be able to surpass them. If it weren’t for them, maybe I wouldn’t be here today.” With less than 15 games left on Florida Tech’s schedule, the chances of Mims breaking the record before the season ends continue to decrease, but it is still conceivable. “It would be nice if we could get it this year,” Mims said. “If we don’t get it this year than certainly it’s a goal that we will achieve next season. Hopefully when I hang up the whistle one day and retire from coaching it’s something to look back on.”
My winter depression is over. That was the longest 113 days, but finally, my beloved hockey is back. I know I’m not the only student that is relieved to have hockey back, but there are probably more people wondering why it left in the first place. The short explanation of the lockout is the National Hockey League and the Players Association couldn’t agree where their money should go. The result of their agreement created a 48 game season. This does not mean that only 48 games will be played; it means that each team will play 48 games. Many players spent time playing for European and Russian leagues while waiting for the paperwork to come through while other players stayed in the US and went to the American Hockey League and still others stayed in their home cities and worked out. Once the games start it will be painfully obvious who played in other leagues, who worked out enough and who didn’t work hard enough. The players did gain a few rewards for their patience. For the first
time they have a defined pension plan and the minimum salary for a player will be $525,000 for this season, and will go up to $750,000 within 10 years. What can the fans expect for their begrudging loyalty to the sport? Many teams, if not all of the teams, will be having great promotions for the 48 game season that starts on January 19. For example, the Detroit Red Wings will have half off beer and sodas and 30 percent off merchandise for their opening game on January 22. They will also have online promotions giving away merchandise, tickets and other prizes. Is this enough of a reward for the fans loyalty? I don’t think so. This is the second lockout within 10 years. The last one was in 1994-1995 and closed out the whole season. Personally, I feel that the fans deserve more for their patience, but considering the whole season was almost gone I’ll take the 48 games. At least they reduced the price of apps that will allow me to watch the games on my tablet. Now if only I could win a jersey on one of the social media challenges.
we want you! The florida tech crimson is looking for new staff writers and photographers. email us at crimson@fit.edu for more info! photo by amanda stratford/Florida tech athletics The team grasps narrow win against Lynn after trailing 16 points at the half.
Upcoming Florida Tech Home Games Saturday, Jan. 26 Women’s Basketball vs. Florida Southern 2 p.m. at the Clemente Center Men’s Basketball vs. Florida Southern 4 p.m. at the Clemente Center
Saturday, Feb. 2 Women’s Tennis vs. Barry 12 p.m. on Fee Avenue Baseball vs. Shorter 12 p.m. at Home Men’s Tennis vs. Barry 2 p.m. on Fee Avenue Women’s Basketball vs. Barry 2 p.m. at the Clemente Center Men’s Basketball vs. Barry 4p.m. at the Clemente Center
Wednesday, Feb. 6 Men’s Basketball vs. Palm Beach Atlantic 7 p.m. at the Clemente Center